Spicy Red Wine Tomato Sauce ft. Byrd Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Sometimes the best meals are made with simple pantry ingredients, and some great wine! Last night I made a Spicy Red Wine Tomato Sauce with @byrdvineyard 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, and paired my pasta dish with a glass of their 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Byrd Vineyard 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is great for slow sipping while cooking or enjoying a meal as it is dark, rich, layered in flavor and has weight to it. The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is of course great for drinking as well, but is slightly lighter in my opinion.

Byrd Vineyard wines are grown and cultivated completely by hand in one of the highest elevation vineyards in California’s Mendocino County at 2400 feet! Wine grapes grown at high altitudes produce softer tannins, higher acids, beautifully balanced, and intensely flavorful wine. Byrd Vineyard wines are available for purchase online at byrdvineyard.com and my recipe is available below.

Spicy Red Wine Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

•1.5 tbsp olive oil

•1 medium shallot, chopped

•1 tsp minced garlic

•1.5 tsp kosher salt, divided

•1 tsp dried oregano

•1/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon, divided

•1 28 oz can tomatoes diced in tomato juice

•2 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped

•1/2 tsp granulated sugar

•Fresh Ground Black Pepper

•1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

•1 tbsp grated pecorino romano

Directions:

1. Heat 1.5 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until lightly golden brown, 1–2 minutes. Add 1/2 tsp of kosher salt and 1 tsp of dried oregano. Stir to combine.

2. Stir in 1/8 cup Cabernet Sauvignon and cook about 3 minutes, until almost evaporated. Add remaining 1/8 cup and reduce by half.

3. Add canned tomatoes, chopped fresh tomatoes, sugar, fresh ground pepper to taste, crushed red pepper, and pecorino romano. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. Taste and season with more salt and pepper to taste.

4. Mix sauce with your favorite cooked pasta and enjoy!

#byrdvineyard #californiawine #highaltitudewines